What is a snag in Australia?
A snag is Australian slang for a sausage, especially one cooked on a barbecue. A snag in a slice of white bread with tomato sauce and onions is a classic Australian food.
The word snag has been used for sausages in Australia since at least the 1940s, though its exact origin is uncertain. Some suggest it comes from an old British dialect word for a light meal or snack.
Snags are the star of the sausage sizzle, a fundraiser held outside hardware stores, at schools and at sporting clubs. A sausage in bread costs only a few dollars, with money going to local groups.
Democracy sausages
On election days, many polling places hold sausage sizzles, and the snags are nicknamed democracy sausages. In 2016, democracy sausage was named the Australian National Dictionary Centre's Word of the Year.
Australians grill snags made from beef, pork, lamb and chicken, along with gourmet flavours. Kangaroo snags are also sold in supermarkets.
A common joke asks whether the onions should go on top of or under the snag. Many people simply ask for sauce, choosing tomato or barbecue.
Did You Know?
A snag in bread is sometimes called a sausage sandwich, even though it uses only one slice of bread.